“Tyler’s reaction to Dixie made me take notice of her. He’s into her. That was a fact I stored away because of who he is. It helped in recognising her, though I’m pretty sure she’s had surgery to alter her features.”
Dixie had told me about a nose job and getting her boobs done. I’d figured that was for work reasons, but perhaps it was more. My mind ticked over on Tyler. I barely knew him and hadn’t spoken to him about Dixie simply because I hadn’t seen him around. “Perhaps Tyler knows something.”
“He doesn’t. I already asked. He’s away from the warehouse, but we spoke on the phone, and he was worried.”
“They aren’t a couple, though.” Dixie had told me she was single.
“My guess is he wanted to change that.”
“Thank you for the information. It shows me there’s a human in there and not just a robot.”
Kane smirked. “Bleeding on ye wasn’t convincing enough?”
Quickly, I finished with his injuries then gestured for the other hand. It wasn’t so bad, only a few grazes and no wood in his skin, but it meant leaning more into his space.
“I’m leaving Deadwater tonight.” His breath ruffled my hair.
“So am I. In the morning.”
“Where?”
With a few swipes of the antiseptic, I finished the job of fixing him up. It was payment for him scaring away the intruder. In that, I believed him. For all I thought Kane heavy-handed and secretive, I couldn’t see him faking what happened tonight. Not coupled with the scare I’d had over the threats sent to my father’s office.
I hadn’t even started to process that. There was no way I’d sleep tonight. Or ever again.
I closed up his first-aid kit and set it on the dash then folded my hands in my lap. “Tell me I can trust you.”
He adjusted his position to face me better. “Earlier, you suggested that I would try to scare you in exchange for protection.”
“I’m not sure I believe that now.”
“Good. But the offer is there. I propose a deal between us. Terms that give mutual satisfaction.”
How did he make that sound so dirty? I squirmed. “You want to be with me when I find Dixie.”
“While you could make use of my body.” His lips curved in a wolfish smile that went straight to my core.
I stifled a shiver. “Exactly what are you offering?”
“Bodyguard, close protection, whatever it takes to keep ye safe. Both from the bastard trying to break in tonight and from the way I found ye in the streets last week. I know something is happening.”
I liked that concern so much. Just the idea that he’d stand between me and someone who wanted to harm me. My very own Kane-shaped brick wall.
His lips quirked. “And anything else ye want to do with me. I’m at your disposal.”
“Bodyguard first and predator second, right?”
“Whenever ye want.”
We’d both have to pretend that sounded safe.
“The protection will be enough, thank you. There’s one last piece of the puzzle. Why do you think Dixie is in danger? What knowledge led you to that?”
Mila’s reaction haunted me. Dixie had run. She was out there all alone. There was a reason why.
Kane took a second to look me over then flicked his gaze at the house. “Go get dressed and fetch the bag ye packed for your trip. We’ll go tonight and talk on the way. I have a matter I need to take care of first, but after that, I’m all yours.”
I’d lost my mind, as no hesitation troubled me at all.
